EastEnders: Fatboy actor Ricky Norwood suspended for two months

The suspension to come into effect immediately, confirms a spokesperson for the soap

EastEnders actor Ricky Norwood - who plays Arthur "Fatboy" Chubb on the BBC1 soap - has been suspended for two months.

The action comes after Norwood was reportedly videoed on Skype smoking cannabis and performing a sex act while naked. The video, believed to be more than eight minutes long, is thought to have been filmed recently and was captured by a woman the actor met online.

A spokesperson for EastEnders said to RadioTimes.com today: "Ricky Norwood has been suspended from the show for a period of two months with immediate effect.

"In addition, Ricky would like to apologise to EastEnders' viewers for any offence caused and for bringing the show into disrepute."

Norwood has played Fatboy on EastEnders and its online spin-off EastEnders: E20 since 2010. He won the Best Newcomer award at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards and Most Popular Newcomer at the 2011 National Television Awards.

In recent months, the character has been seen dealing with relationship turmoil after breaking up with girlfriend Poppy Meadow (Rachel Bright) and was last week seen consoling Dot Branning (June Brown) following the death of her son Nick.

Norwood began acting at the age of 12 when he joined Theatre Royal Stratford's Youth Theatre. He later went on to study Performing Arts at Barking College. His theatre credits include Daddy Cool at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Sick at the Almeida Theatre and The Stones at the Royal National Theatre.

Upon his arrival on EastEnders, he commented: "It's an honour to now be part of a show that has been on in my house for as long as I have been alive. I love being part of a cast that feels like family."